NCJ Number
227478
Date Published
2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the current state of risk assessment of sexual offenders and recommends a prudent 'best practice' approach based on current available research.
Abstract
Risk assessment of sexual offenders continues to be a controversial and important topic in forensic psychiatry and psychology. Strengths and weaknesses are argued among academicians of unstructured clinical judgment versus actuarial versus structured professional judgment assessment strategies. This chapter argues that if there is a true concern about public safety via effective risk management, then the academic arguments should be less important given that the main concern of all researchers and clinicians should be that of determining the safest, best model of practice to benefit both the public and offenders themselves. Courts and parole boards across the world demand risk assessments on which to base their decisions. It is critical to provide the best risk formulation on the individual client and advise policy- and lawmakers regarding effective risk methodologies. Actuarial tests, which are highly structured tests, are only completely useful when validated in the setting in which they are to be used. The items that comprise the SPJ (structured professional judgment) instruments are derived from the international research literature and the overall assessment guide is then applied to the individual. Some of the SPJs have been shown to have validity in a variety of countries. However, it is suggested that it is worthwhile to examine what is probably the best of the actuarial measures, the Static-99, for adoption in any new setting. It is believed that the more complete the risk picture, the more likely the development of effective risk management strategies for the individual offender. References